Lubrication of vehicle-springs.



l. WE/WER. y LUBRICATON 0F VEHICLE'SPHiNGS. v APPLICUON- HLED MAR. I3. 1916. v 1,188,590, Patented.,une27, 1916.

v ,lena i4 l' vvv l UNITED srarns PATENT OFFICE.

IRA A. WEAVER, OF SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE WEAVER MANUFAC- TURING COMPANY, OF SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.`

LUBRICA'IION Oli VEHILE-SIRINGS,

l Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 27, 1916.

Application led March 13, 1916. Serial No. 83,769.

citizen of the United States, residing at Springeld, in the county of Sangamon and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsl in Lubrication-of 'Q Vehicle-Springs, of which the 'following is high degree-of resiliency.

a specification.v

Thel body-supporting springs of automoi 10 biles, .especially those of the superposed leaf type, require a lubricant between their leaves to permit such comparatively-tliin, flexible elements to shift relatively to one another, 4te prevent rusting, and to secure a desirable Such a lubricant, under the flexing action of the spring, gradually works out from between the leaves both at their sides and ends with the objectionable result thattlie oozing greasy ina I 20 terial collects dust and dirt, presenting an unsightly appearance and tending more or less to find its way between the leaves.

One object of this invention is to preventl to a large extent such discharge of the lu-` bricant and to compel that which is expelled to find its way out only beneath the spring, where it readily drops to the ground, or, at least, is out of sight.V

A, further object of the .invention is to 301 `give suoli springs a pleasing upholstered appearance. i v

-In lorder that those skilled in this art may fully comprehend the structural and func- -tional advantages of an appliance embodying this invention, I have illustrated'a preferred vincorporation of the same in the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification, and throughout the various views of which like reference characters refer-to the same parts.

In this drawing: Figure 1' is a` fragmentary perspective view of a portion of an automobile illustrating a part of the spring structure and showing portions of the elements entering into the improved device as partially removed or unwrapped from one ofthe springs; Fig. 2 is anenlarged fragmentary View from beneath the spring, and Fig. 3 is a cross-section on line 3 3 of 2.

Asis usual in vehicles of this construction, the spring 10 is composed of a plurality of superposed, resilient, relatively-thin plates or leaves 11, 12, 13, 14, and. 15, clamped toi gether in any approved manner and held in place.

strip 17, is then wound spirally with an ad'- proper register by a clip (not shown), one

portion of which ordinarily loccupies the aperture '1Gv extended through the leaves.

Such ordinary clip in the practice of this invention is conveniently removed and replaced by a steel or other ribbon 17, one end 1S of -which is bent down into the Aperforation 16, the remainder of-tlie ribbon or strip being wrapped spirally around the previously-lubricated, superposed, leaf springs, a few times,as is clearly illustrated. In

` some instances it is not necessary to remove.

the ordinary spring clip, but where a par-.

ticularly smooth piece of'work` is to be accomplished the substitution of this metalribbon or bent strip for-tlie clip is preferable. It performs the same function as the clip, maintaining the leaves in proper relation and preventing their shifting. out of The whole spring, as well as the hesive-coated tape v19, preferably waterproof, such for instance, as the tape ordinarily used `by electricians -for insulating purposes.y The convolutions of this tape .or band overlap one another slightly to secure a complete incasing of the spring. In Fig. 1 thiswrapping is shown partially removed. The purpose of the tape is to retain the lubricant between the lleaves of the spring and prevent its oozing out to a large extent; It also prevents the entrance of dirt to the spring. 2

In some instances the spring-clip and the retainer 17 may be both omitted, the tape being suiiiciently strong to perform its peculiarlubricant-retaining function indicated above as well as the work of the clip.- The spring having thus been wound or wrapped Awith the adhesive tape, it is covered by a leather, canvas, or other suitable sheath or covering 20, which is ofsubstantially the length of the spring and of a graduated Width so that i't. will neatly cover the 4spring Without or oil which works out to be discharged at al point wliereit will not be seen.

When it is desired to re-lubricate or re- 100 covering are perforated at 21 for the accomgrease the spring, it is merely necessary to unl'ac'e and take orf the cover, unwrap the spiral Winding of adhesive tape,and ref move the metal retainer or clamp i7, if one has been used. Then, after the springs have been treated, the, parts may be readily replaced, it being borne in mind that the adhesive character of the tape causes it to become more or less adhered to the spring and to its ownconvolutions so that there is no danger of its becoming displaced, bunched, or wrinkled. Stated :somewhat differently, the complete spring has a pleasing, smooth, finished appearance.. It does not attract or retain dust or dirt and holds the lubricant in the spring for an indefinite period, Where it can perform its proper function.

Obviously, lthis invention is not confined' and restricted to the precise and exact features of construction illustrated anddescribed because these may be changed in many respects Without departure from the invention and Without loss of any of its valuable features.

Iclaimzf f" p 1. In a structure ofv the character described, the combination of a spring composed 'of a plurality of cooperating superposed leaves, and an adhesive lubricant-retaining cover incasing said leaves, substantially as described.

2. In a structure 'of the character de# scribed,l the combinationv of a spring composedlof a plurality of coperatingv superposed leaves, and aV lubricant-retaining adhesive spiral Winding incasing said leaves, substantially as described. A

3'. In a structure of the character described, the combination ,of a spring cornposed of a plurality'of coperating superposed leaves, a lubricant-retaining adhesive spiral vvinding incasing said leaves, and

posed of a plurality of cooperating superposed leaves, a lubricant-retaining adhesive spiral Winding incasing said leaves, and an outer cover over said Winding openonly belovv said spring, substantially as described. 5. In a structure ot the character described, vthe4 combination of a spring composed of a plurality of coperatingsuperposed leaves, a. lubricant-retaining adhesive spiral winding incasing said leaves, and an o-uter cover over said Winding having its longitudinal "edges laced together beneath I scribed, the combination of a vspring com-` posed of a plurality of coperatingsuperposed leaves, and a lubricant-retaining spiral Winding incasing said spring, substantially as described. f

8. In a structure of the character de-` scribed, the combination of a spring coinan outer. coverl over said Winding, substanf,

tially as described. 5f f 4. yIn a structureof the character Idee scribed, the combination Qta spring coinposed of a plurality of coperating superposed leaves, means to maintain said leaves in register, a spiral `lubricant-retaining Winding incasing said leaves, and an outer covering. over said Winding, described. .9. In a structure of the character described, the combination'of aspring composed 'oii a plurality of coperating super! posed leaves, a spiral lubricant-retaining Winding incasing said leaves, and an outer covering over said Winding, substantially as described.

. IRA A. WEAVER.

Witnesses:

, J. R. REYNOLDS, R. C. BENNETT.

substantially as 

